Guidance on supporting breastfeeding mothers returning to work

The New Zealand workforce is changing and women are increasingly returning to work following the birth of a baby.

The Ministry of Health is committed to ensuring that New Zealand workplaces are supported to create a comfortable and supportive environment that enables mothers returning to work to continue breastfeeding.

The key principles of this guidance are to:

encourage and support employees breastfeeding within the workplace

promote the benefits of breastfeeding within the workplace

provide accurate and helpful information for breastfeeding mothers returning to work

support mothers to maintain breastfeeding when returning to work

provide suitable facilities that support breastfeeding/expressing and storing breast milk at work

provide access to health education resources relating to food and nutrition when breastfeeding

provide information about further support for breastfeeding mothers.

Breastfeeding

Breastfeeding provides the best nutrition for babies and supports the health and wellbeing of mothers. Research has shown that breastfeeding improves babies’ immunity and physical development, and fosters a stronger bond between mother and baby.

Exclusive breastfeeding is recommended by the Ministry until babies are around six months old, with continued breastfeeding along with appropriate complementary foods until babies are at least one year of age or beyond. Many mothers return to work before this time.

Breastfeeding is important for babies because it:

provides the optimum nutrition for them

assists their physical and emotional development

decreases the incidence and severity of childhood infectious diseases

is associated with decreased infant mortality and hospitalisation

is associated with a decreased risk of chronic disease.

Breastfeeding is important for the mother returning to work because it:

may help the mother return to her pre-pregnancy weight

reduces the risk of pre-menopausal cancer

may reduce the risk of ovarian cancer

may reduce the risk of osteoporosis and hip problems

can inspire other healthy lifestyle choices for the mother such as smoking cessation.

Benefits of breastfeeding to the employer

Mothers who are supported to breastfeed at work by their employers:

have lower absenteeism as their own health and that of their baby is better

A Code of Employment Practice on Infant Feeding has been developed by the Department of Labour in consultation with groups such as Business New Zealand, the New Zealand Council of Trade Unions, women’s community and health groups, and the Ministry of Health.

The Code provides useful advice on the range of factors an employer can consider when negotiating breastfeeding arrangements. The Code gives practical ideas on factors to consider such as health and safety, space, facilities and resources required for breastfeeding employees.

Under the Code, employers are required to ensure:

breastfeeding benefits are promoted within the workplace

breastfeeding is encouraged and supported within the workplace

mothers are able to take suitable breaks (unpaid) to breastfeed and/or express milk at work (or offsite) if reasonable and practical.

Employers should ensure suitable:

breastfeeding facilities are available at workplaces where reasonable and practical

facilities should be quiet, comfortable and private

facilities do not need to be permanent i.e. a screened off area may be a practical option if a separate room cannot be provided

there should be a low, comfortable chair with armrests available

facilities for expressing and storing breast milk are available

there should be a clean space to store equipment

there should be a separate refrigerator for storing breast milk

there should be a sink with hot water and a clean flat surface to wash breast pumps

there should be hygienic hand washing facilities

facilities are available for breastfeeding in potential new premises.

Employers should ensure:

toilet facilities are not designated for breastfeeding as they are not suitable for this purpose

sick bays are only utilised for breastfeeding where absolutely necessary

these facilities should meet all the requirements of the Code.

Provide information for mothers who are returning to work

Breastfeeding mothers returning to work need to be given information about their employer’s responsibilities and commitments to supporting and promoting the continuation of breastfeeding at work. Information about breastfeeding facilities available should also be provided by the employer.

Employers should:

advise managers of those women returning from parental leave of their obligations to provide breastfeeding breaks to the returning parent where reasonable

advise managers of those women returning from parental leave about the importance of being flexible and reasonable with regard to the timing of breastfeeding breaks

include a section in the return to work letter on where to find information for returning to work after having a child (where applicable)

attach this guidance to the return to work letter sent out to all parents returning after parental leave

consider providing a link to the health education resources relating to food and nutrition when breastfeeding in the return to work letter.

Support groups and further information

The following organisations may be able to help with breastfeeding information and advice: